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Pagel’s Pots

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March / April, 2010

Tom Graham

The plant with spear-like leaves is Baumea rubiginosis 'Variegata.' The underwater grass-like plants are Lilaeopsis chinensis.

Walter Pagel is a genuine legend, living among us in Southern California. He is world renown for his worldwide travels collecting rare and unusual aquatic plant species. He even has his own water lily named after him, the Walter Pagel’s Lily.

His experiences and accomplishments would fill volumes. He is known as the “Father of Doppler Radar.” But his love for water gardening started at the age of 8.

I want to share with you a small collection of photos I took at Walter’s home one sunny summer afternoon. These pots are a few of Walter’s collection of pots, and are teeming with various small aquatic plants. I found them delightful and unique. Pots are a great way to keep aquatics.

Now granted, the idea of keeping aquatic plants in a pot on the patio is nothing new–if there is any standard to them, they usually involve larger, more traditional plants like the water lily, or the taro.

What I found entrancing was the tiny submerged plants, growing like a living carpet amongst and around the taller plants.

Each pot was its own microcosm, seemingly growing unrestrained, and yet clearly cared for. Each lush with life, yet quiet and peaceful.

Walter has been kind enough to give me the names of the plants in these pots, which I have noted in the captions.

You can read more about Walter’s experiences at http://www.victoria-adventure.org/more_than_links_images/walter_pagels/walter_pagels_profile1.html

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